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Post by amboseli on Jan 24, 2018 19:13:13 GMT
Wanting to escape the sad Belgian winter, we decided - very last minute - to fly to Fuerteventura for a week, hoping for some sunshine. (Our initial plan to travel to a beach resort in Egypt fell because we wanted more than just the beach and we don't want to drive in Egypt). We have visited the other Canary Islands in the past, but not Fuerte (as the island is called over there). The islands are very different from each other, but Fuerte is known as the windy island and for its beautiful beaches. It is the southernmost island and is much flatter than the other islands, the highest peak being only 807 m. Fuerte is long and narrow, about 100 km long and 25 km max. width. Large parts are national park and the island is - as the other islands - partly volcanic. Our hotel was on the Jandía peninsula in the far south: white fine sandy beaches, clear blue ocean. Perfect for a weeks stay! The landscape is barren wilderness all over the island, and desolate once away from the tourist resorts. Vegetation is almost unexistant. When driving on the dirt roads it sometimes felt as we were on the moon. Barren but beautiful nonetheless, with mountains in many different colours, from almost white to black. There's not much in terms of cultural heritage, but the windmills along the Ruta de los Molinos in the centre of the island were nice and so were the small towns of La Oliva and Betancuria (former capital). * to be continued *
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Post by onlyMark on Jan 24, 2018 20:27:03 GMT
"(Our initial plan to travel to a beach resort in Egypt fell because we wanted more than just the beach and we don't want to drive in Egypt)"
You made a good choice. I know of no decent beaches in Egypt that are up to these standards - and as for driving there.... I think I know what I'm talking about.
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Post by amboseli on Jan 24, 2018 21:36:55 GMT
onlyMarkWe have been to beach resorts in Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh and Marsa Alam at least a dozen times. My husband used to be a scuba diver and at only 5 hrs away, it was our perfect winter getaway. We are older now and want to explore rather than sit on a beach/pool all the time. And my husband quit scuba diving a few years ago.
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Post by onlyMark on Jan 25, 2018 5:05:51 GMT
Sounds good. You know it then. Did you know of a place near Hurghada called El Gouna? That was a place we went to quite a lot.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jan 25, 2018 5:54:03 GMT
I had seen photos of the barrenness of Fuerteventura before, but your photos bring it home even more. A lot of it looks like it could be used to simulate the surface of Mars. It looks like humankind really had to fight hard to plant a bit of vegetation in the towns.
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Post by bjd on Jan 25, 2018 6:17:10 GMT
Some friends went to Fuerteventura last year for some hiking and she described it to me as very dry but interesting. I'm glad to see your photos but see that it's not a place for me, I prefer greenery.
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Post by amboseli on Jan 25, 2018 7:12:47 GMT
Sounds good. You know it then. Did you know of a place near Hurghada called El Gouna? That was a place we went to quite a lot. El Gouna was our last trip, in 2011. Quite different from Marsa Alam or Sharm!
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Post by amboseli on Jan 25, 2018 7:15:52 GMT
kerouac2'Walking on the Moon', that's what we often thought.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jan 25, 2018 7:22:02 GMT
I chose Mars because the rocks are pinkish tan. I think of the moon as being all grey.
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Post by amboseli on Jan 25, 2018 7:27:11 GMT
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Post by amboseli on Jan 25, 2018 7:30:32 GMT
Giant steps are what you take Walking on the moon I hope my legs don't break Walking on the moon (The Police)
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Post by amboseli on Jan 25, 2018 7:51:02 GMT
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Post by mickthecactus on Jan 25, 2018 8:54:51 GMT
Thanks for all the flora pictures Amboseli - much appreciated.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 27, 2018 3:18:08 GMT
Even to a non-beachy person like me, your pictures are breath-takingly beautiful, Amboseli. I knew nothing about any of this, so really appreciate this report.
Is there arable land on the other Canaries? And what went on in Fuerteventura before it became a vacation destination? I know there have been people on the Canary Islands for eons, but can't imagine how they lived outside of fishing.
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Post by amboseli on Jan 27, 2018 9:12:07 GMT
bixaorellanaThe other islands, except Lanzarote, are greener. We have seen citrus, sugar cane, banana and pineapple plantations on Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. All islands are of volcanic origin, so extremey fertile in se. In Fuerteventura fishing has always been the main industry before it became a holiday destination. On the other islands fishing and farming.
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